Welcome to the SmartNews Points Program! Below you will find everything you need to know about earning, tracking, and redeeming your points for real-world rewards.
🪙 Program Basics & Value
What are SmartNews Points (SNP)?
SmartNews Points are rewards you earn by completing interactive missions within the app, such as launching SmartNews daily or reading featured articles. These points can be accumulated and exchanged for digital gift cards through our rewards partner, Tango.
What is the exchange rate and minimum redemption amount?
| Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Exchange Rate | 10 SNP = $0.01, 1000 SNP = $1.00 |
| Minimum Balance to Redeem | 500 SNP = $.50 |
⚠️ Please Note: While SmartNews allows you to initiate an exchange at 500 points ($0.50), many of our gift card partners (like Amazon, Target, or Starbucks) have their own minimum brand thresholds (often $1.00 or $5.00). You may need to save up more points to claim specific brands on the Tango platform.
Do my points expire?
Yes, points expire 180 days from your last point acquisition date.
How to extend them: Simply complete a new mission! Earning fresh points automatically extends the expiration date of your entire existing point balance for another 180 days.
🔐 Account Security
Why did my points disappeared, when I tried selecting gift card
If your points were deducted but you don’t see your gift card, do not panic. You can locate your transaction details entirely inside the app.
Locate your Tango Reference ID
Open the SmartNews app and go to the My Rewards / Missions tab.
Look directly below your point balance and tap Points History.
Tap the Redeemed section.
Select the specific item you attempted to redeem.
Scroll to the absolute bottom of the screen to find your unique Tango Reference ID.
You can find more information and step-by-step instructions in the article below:
I redeemed my points, but where is my gift card?
🪙 My Points Disappeared!
For a full breakdown of how to safeguard your rewards or attempt to recover an old account, see our dedicated guide: Why did my SmartNews Points disappear?
💡 How to prevent this next time: Always ensure you are securely logged into a permanent account profile before starting your daily missions. This locks your points to your identity so they follow you to any new device.
🎁 Gift Card Troubleshooting
I redeemed my points, but where is my gift card?
If your points are gone but you don't have your voucher, do not contact support just yet. You can find your tracking code inside the app. Follow our step-by-step recovery guide here: I redeemed my points, but where is my gift card?
📋 Eligibility & Mission Rules
Am I eligible to participate in rewards campaigns?
To participate and earn points, you must meet the following criteria:
Be a legal resident of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia.
Be at least 14 years old (users under 18 require parental/guardian consent).
Maintain only one unique account per person.
Use a supported mobile device running the latest version of the SmartNews app (Missions are not available on desktop web browsers).
Why do my Daily Mission goals look different from other users?
If you noticed that your daily reading targets, point values, or active missions don't match another user's app—or change when you switch devices—your app is completely healthy.
You can find more information from:
Why do my Daily Mission goals look different from other users (or change on different devices)?
Why didn’t I receive my points after completing a mission?
You can find more information and step-by-step instructions in the article below: